Kathleen walked as fast as her heels could carry her and stopped only when she was sure she was out of sight.
She didn't understand what had just happened in that office.
How the heck was that very handsome young man the boss? For a moment there, she had almost thought he was flirting with her.
And who was that sweet little girl? Could she be his child? He had to be married to have a child, right? Or was he one of those baby papa types?
Why were men like that anyway? How could a married man like him be trying to flirt with her? She asked herself with righteous indignation.
And why on earth had she felt tongue-tied when she saw his face? It was probably because she hadn't taken her bath and was feeling a bit self-conscious...
Of course! That had to be it, she told herself with a huff. Who would believe a smart and very beautiful lady like her in her late twenties would blush and squirm like a teenager all because a very handsome-looking man smiled at her?
Well, she was glad to know the presentation had been postponed. She checked her phone and frowned when she saw an SMS notification and three missed calls on the screen.
Two from her mother and one from an unsaved contact. She read out the text message which had been sent earlier, telling her of the postponement.
OK... She had to admit that her village people had actually done nothing wrong this time. If she had only checked her phone before leaving the house, she would have gotten the message and saved herself all that stress.
She decided to return her mother's call before going inside her office. After the first three rings, she heard her mother's familiar voice.
"Ngozika!" her mother called her native name in a tone that told her the conversation was not going to be a pleasant one.
"Good morning, mummy. Sorry, I was in a hurry out of the house when you called," She quickly apologised.
"You are always in a hurry to do everything aside from getting married," Her mother said, jumping right into the marriage subject.
She always looked for the slightest opportunity to bring it up in every conversation.
"I'm at work. Can we do this later?" Kathleen asked with a sigh.
"Did you hear that your friend Gloria is getting married?" Her mother went on like she hadn't heard her.
"Yes, she chatted me up on Facebook," Kathleen said, rolling her eyes.
"So when are you going to chat people up to tell them about your own marriage? You will be 29 years old soon, yet you think you are still young. If I had waited till 29 to get married, do you know how old you..."
Kathleen ended the call without letting her finish her sentence.
They were going to end up quarrelling either way, so she would rather do it at her own convenient time. She thought with a sigh.
She slowly made her way to her office, then stopped by the door to eavesdrop on what her colleagues were saying.
"I heard the new boss is really young and handsome," Sandra said or was it Rosy? Kathleen wondered.
She didn't really interact much with the ladies in the office, so she was always getting their names mixed up.
"Too bad the old man is sick, but if the rumours are true, then I'm glad we have a younger and more handsome guy in charge now. I can't wait for the next meeting!" The only chubby girl in the office screeched in excitement while the other two giggled happily.
"Small small dey smile o, you get boyfriend," The chubby one reminded Rosy, who rolled her eyes.
"So because I get crayfish, if I see catfish, make I nuh chop?" Rosy asked with a scoff, making the other two laugh.
"Abeg, leave the catfish for us were nuh get anything," Sandra pleaded amidst her laughter.
Kathleen walked over to her seat quietly, thinking about everything she had just heard.
So the old CEO had fallen ill? When did that happen? She had probably been too busy with her life to worry about the old man or who was who in the company.
At least now she no longer had to wonder why she had met such a cute guy in the office. She could only pray the new change would be favourable to her.
"Good morning, Kathy. How body?" Dave, the only guy in their unit greeted.
"Good morning, Dave. Body dey cloth o. I hear we have a new CEO?" She asked as she settled on her seat, which was next to his.
"So I heard too," Dave said and she nodded.
"I guess that was why the presentation was postponed?" She asked and he nodded.
"Yes. He is Chief's only son, so I'm guessing he probably wants to get settled before going on with the former scheme of things. I'm sure he would be easier to work with than the old man," Dave told Kathleen who simply shrugged without saying a word.
Chief's son? Kathleen wondered briefly before quickly reminding herself that she had no business being overly curious about a man like that.